Page 19 of Homecoming

Kat takes over, “She would have stayed with us, but it was decided that it was better for her to live with Jenny and Rob.”

What.

My brain is just like white noise at this point. I need to ask questions, but I also need to make sure that we don’t crash, and I’m in shock. Deciding it's safer, I pull over.

“Mom,” Cash starts, his voice strained, “can you guys please explain from the beginning.”

“Ever’s home?” Luc asks, his voice gentle as if he is worried that if he speaks any louder, it will break whatever magic is weaving through this moment.

Maybe we fell asleep?

Shit, maybe the job went sideways, and we died?

I am pulled out of my morbid thoughts when Mom starts to explain, and we all just listen in shock.

“Sorry, yes, of course I can explain. I know it’s out of the blue,” she starts. “We got a call from child services; we were listed in her mom and dad’s wills as guardians should anything happen to them. Her dad was into some illegal things, and her place was raided; he was shot and killed in the raid. She is going to testify against his associates.”

What the fuck.

“Fuck,” Jensen curses, echoing my thoughts.

Neither of the moms chastises him for cursing.

Mom continues explaining, “We were all listed as guardians, but it was decided that she would stay here, since she used to stay a lot when she was younger, she still has her room here, and it’s very familiar. She has been through a lot.”

“Where is she now?” I ask, shock and hope riding me hard.

“She’s at school,” Mom repeats, and I realize that she told us earlier.

“What?” Riot asks.

“She’s enrolled at school, and it’s her first day today. I told her that you guys would be back before lunch and would try to find her. I hope that is okay?” Mom asks.

I almost burst out laughing. We are going to get back there way before lunch now, and we will be tearing the fucking school apart to find her.

Trying to keep my excitement and pure happiness from bubbling over, I reply, “Yeah, of course, Mom. We will find her.”

“Good, I have got to get more food in, especially chocolate,” she replies, an edge to her voice that I don’t understand.

I don’t have time to ask her about it though because she hangs up.

Chapter Thirteen

Trick

We all just sit there in silence for a moment, only a moment, and then the truck is filled with shouts of joy and yelling as we just let all the happiness out.

“Fucking hell,” Cash comments once we have all calmed down, a smile on his face that I haven’t seen in a long time.

“She’s home!” Rafe signs.

“Can’t believe it,” Luc adds, “but at the same time, I know that the parents wouldn’t lie to us.”

Riot shakes his head, “Not about this, they wouldn’t.”

“Guys,” Jensen says, worry in his eyes, “Jenny said that she had been through a lot and that her dad had just been shot.”

“And that she was going to be testifying against people he worked with,” Cash adds, his face falling into a deep frown.

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